Fight HIV/AIDS by Empowering Women in South Africa

Thanks to your contributions Postive Women's Network was able to hold HIV treatment literacy trainings for those dealing with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Provided are pictures from two such trainings.  One training, held in September, focused on Human Anatomy and how HIV affects the body.  The other training, held in November, was aimed at educating grandmothers of AIDS orphans on the basic health needs of the children. It also gave them information on the importance of adherence to medication and the different opportunistic infections to look out for in the cases where the children were HIV-positive.

Take a look at pictures from two of the trainings to see your generosity in action!

PWN is working together with HIV and AIDS affected women and girls to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination by providing equitable access to information; counseling and support services; and a better understanding and protection of individuals' rights. Through empowerment and advocacy PWN is pushing women's rights to the forefront and giving them a platform in which their voices can be heard!

Support Group Coordinators Lead Meetings to Address High Rates of Rape

PWN recently held a gathering to celebrate the international event, African Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Day. The gathering was led by PWN support group coordinators in Wattvillle Township where 25 women were in attendance. The main topic of the meeting was rape – how to deal with a family member who has been raped and how to report a rape case.

The coordinators highlighted the low numbers of reported rape cases in South Africa (1 in 9 rapes are reported) and encouraged women and girls to fight through the stigma and difficulties associated with sexual assault. They also provided information of organizations which provide counseling for rape victims and would also advocate for justice for rape victims. Other topics discussed included breast and cervical cancer. Attendees were shown how to check for lumps in the breast and were also informed of the importance of pap smears and other vaginal examinations.

More training for HIV and AIDs counseling, treatment literacy and how to start support groups

Because of growing need for support for HIV/AIDS affected women and girls in South Africa, PWN has provided more training in basic HIV and AIDS and counselling; organized and hosted workshops on treatment literacy and how to start a support group; and disseminated information on HIV and AIDS in work places, schools, informal settlements and in communities.

PWN remains committed to working with women from disadvantaged communities who are affected by HIV/AIDS,
however, it comes with its own set of challenges.

When you support PWN, you help provide prevention and education projects and campaigns that will bring together women and girls living with HIV/AIDS to fight for change!